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 Natural Awakenings Lancaster-Berks

Acupuncture Reduces Inflammation

Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of allergy-related rhinitis, according to researchers from the Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology at the University Hospital of Dresden, Germany. In their study, an acupuncture treatment group was compared with a medication group receiving Loratadine, an antihistamine. A total of 87 percent of the acupuncture patients and 67 percent of the Loratadine patients showed improvements in blood levels of IgE (antibodies) and interleukins (inflammatory markers). Ten weeks after the end of treatment, a follow-up exam showed recurrence of the allergic symptoms in the Loratadine group, while improvement persisted in the acupuncture group.

Another study in the Netherlands showed that acupuncture stimulated the production of IL-10, an interleukin that blocks histamine release. A study in China indicated that patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who ingested Chinese herbal formulas, had improvement noted in their pulmonary function tests and a decrease in the number of acute exacerbations. Again, anti-inflammatory markers were affected, with increased IL-10 and cortisol.

Although more studies are needed, and are being done, the results seen so far are promising. With this knowledge, we could postulate that Chinese medicine can have an effect on other inflammatory processes in the body, including those that cause chronic illnesses. It is beginning to be accepted that almost all chronic diseases have an inflammatory component, including heart disease.

Beverly Fornoff has worked in the healthcare field for over 30 years. She received her master's degree from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in 2002, and specializes in the treatment of chronic pain conditions at her office in Leola. For more information, call 717-381-7334 or visit LancasterAcupuncture.com.